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By Jennifer M. Frazier McClatchy Newspapers You endure nine months of pregnancy and survive the labor. Then, your doctor lets you out of the hospital and you drive home with your new bundle of joy _ and not much more. New parenthood is daunting, to say the least, which is why new moms and dads rarely turn down advice. We've combed the Internet and asked some mom friends for their favorite websites _ the ones you have to bookmark, star, highlight and memorize. They will not only help you get through the scary times, but they'll also deliver some fun and even save you a few bucks. Here, a dozen websites every new parent should bookmark. 1. Babycenter.com Many new moms swear by this site, becoming addicts while pregnant and finding that it provides answers to some of those weird "preggo" questions. Turn to it for information on children's health and parenting, too, and even coupons. Why it's bookmarked: It's hard to pick just one reason. Sign up for its weekly newsletters and you'll get an e-mail pertaining to the development...
By Wendy Donahue Chicago Tribune (MCT) There has been a death in the family, and your child was close to the person. How do you know when a child is ready to attend a wake and/or funeral? Parent advice: Let your child lead on this, to a degree. Go with their strong feelings and your gut regarding what's best. We have experienced the gamut, from the deaths of elderly relatives to the suicide of a teen friend. I think we all have a pretty good feeling about the maturity of our children, no matter their age. We have to pair that knowledge with each situation. I also think it's important to let our kids know that it's very difficult for all of us to know the right things to say and do for people who are grieving. I've tried to teach my kids that being kind and respectful will lead them to say and do the right things. I also think it's OK to warn our kids that they may see people they love feeling very, very sad. It can be scary for kids to see adults cry, but death is a part of life, and our feelings are...
By Debra-Lynn B. Hook (MCT) Somewhere along the path to motherhood, maybe while you're pregnant or before you ever even get pregnant to begin with, you tell yourself you're not going to do it. You're not going to let motherhood become your life. Motherhood will be part of a complete package that includes job and friends, husband and hobbies. But it won't take over. Sure enough, as soon as your uterus quits contracting, you buy one of those jogging strollers, and you start whipping your post-baby self into self-actualized shape. And every time the baby cries, your throat constricts. You get on with it. You not only go back to work, you get a promotion. You reinvigorate wine klatches with your BFFs and romantic dates with your husband. You even find time to read heady novels and self-help books at night. And when your daughter's first-grade class sings "You've Got A Friend" at the milk-scented elementary school around the corner, your heart grows three sizes. You keep on working the complete package like the...
Chicago Tribune (MCT) Every fall, the hopeful warriors of tryout season stampede gyms and fields across the country. Whether they're upperclassmen hoping to make the leap to varsity or seventh-graders facing the selection process for the first time, each student faces the possibility of rejection. "My coaches say that's the hardest thing they do, having to cut kids," said Terry Cooper, athletic director of Mountain Brook Schools in Birmingham, Ala. Unlike grades that can be raised over the year, team cuts are quick, blunt and final. In today's parenting climate of positive reinforcement, not making the team may be the first time a child is told he is not good enough. What to say, then, to the sullen, sweaty child who slumps into the car outside the gym? "Allow the kid to talk and find out where they're at emotionally," said John Murray, a sports psychologist in Palm Beach, Fla. "If it's a serious problem, find out from the coaches what to do next time." Murray cautions parents against lashing... 
Parents guide to new movie releases The Orlando Sentinel (MCT) THE LAST EXORCISM Rating: PG-13 for disturbing violent content and terror, some sexual references and thematic material What it's about: A charlatan exorcist struggles to help a girl who turns out to have real satanic issues. The kid attractor factor: A horror movie without an R-rating is a rare thing for the 16-and-under horror fan. Good lessons/bad lessons: "Ignorance" and "poverty" breed superstition. Violence: A minimum of gore, some blood, bones breaking Language: Almost profanity-free Sex: Teen pregnancy and incest are bandied about. Drugs: Alcohol abuse is discussed. Parents' advisory: Seriously adult themes and situations rule this out for 12-and-unders.
LOTTERY TICKET Rating: PG-13 for sexual content, violence, brief underage drinking and language, including a drug reference What it's about: A teen wins a Lotto ticket, only to have assorted thugs and hangers-on try to cash in on it. The kid attractor factor: The artist formerly known...
Chicago Tribune (MCT) How do you get your teenagers to dress respectably? Parent advice: My husband's favorite saying was "Did you pay full price for those shorts?" ... "Then why did you only get half a pair?" He would follow up by telling my daughters to change. One went through a serious hoochie-mama phase. I never let her out of the house in the clothes, but I'm pretty sure she changed after she left. Eventually she outgrew it. Frankly, our son was far worse. He went to a school that had a dress code and spent four years passionately pushing the envelope. He shopped for his clothes at Goodwill and his closet looked like that of a 70-year-old man — in the '70s. Imagine red and blue windowpane-plaid wool slacks and a copper-colored polyester leisure suit. —Sue Schafer The best way to tackle this is to sit down at a quiet moment and discuss what is appropriate for school, and what is not. No undergarments should show at any time. —Dawn Lantero Perhaps your school will have a dress code that...
McClatchy Newspapers (MCT) Suzy likes to pirouette from room to room on her tippy toes. Jose spends hours in the yard studying ants and lizards. And little Claire is a neatnik who puts away the groceries in alphabetical order. Every child is born with a gift, an ability to dance or analyze or organize. Parents, however, don't always recognize these talents, especially if the skills don't fit into the traditional parameters of the classroom. The beginning of the school year is a perfect time to discover — and develop — your child's strengths. "Irrespective of genetics or biology, all kids have a special area of achievement," says Miami psychologist Albert Zbik. "It's up to the parents to make sure that they're exposed to as many things as possible so they can figure out what they like. It's about cultivating potential talent." Zbik calls on parents to be vigilant in spotting these talents. The clues, he says, are there if adults watch for them. "You never know when and where an opportunity... 
Detroit Free Press (MCT) DETROIT — Few people save money like Susan Samtur. Nationally known as the Coupon Queen, Samtur estimates that she receives about $2,500 yearly in checks from product manufacturers. Add to that the 50 percent, on average, she saves on groceries using store sales, and discount and free product coupons. For more than 35 years, Samtur, 65, of Scarsdale, N.Y., has honed her coupon-clipping strategies and says that you can save big, too. "I think coupon savings is easy, it's rewarding and sometimes I like to call it my coupon therapy," Samtur says. "When I am shopping, I don't think about anything else but how much money I am going to save." Samtur, whose latest book, "Supershop Like the Coupon Queen: How to Save 50 percent or More Every Time You Shop" (Berkley, $15), will be out next month, has been featured on talk shows and in national magazines. She also has three Web sites: And on a recent visit to Michigan,... 
POCATELLO — Dana Smith Dance Studio (DSDS) is currently holding registration for 2010/2011. Classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 7. DSDS offers instruction in a wide variety of dance forms including ballet and Pointe, jazz, hip-hop, and tap from pre-school through adult. Both performing companies and non-performing club classes are available. The studio also offers fitness classes in Zumba, yoga and hip-hop aerobics. Check the studio website at http://www.dsdsdance.com for class schedule information or e-mail Director Whitney Smith at whitjosmit@gmail.com. 
By Roger Moore The Orlando Sentinel (MCT) SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD Rating: PG-13 for stylized violence, sexual content, language and drug references What it's about: A nerdy guy has to defeat a woman's seven evil ex-lovers to court her. The kid attractor factor: A comic book adaptation with comic book sensibilities, video game visuals and Michael Cera Good lessons/bad lessons: The "mysterious ones" are more trouble than they're worth. Violence: Broad, comically exaggerated and plentiful Language: Bursts of profanity, with much of it bleeped out for comic effect Sex: Discussed, pursued Drugs: Alcohol Parents' advisory: This gonzo action comedy is a brawl and an F-bomb shy of an R-rating, but it is jokey enough to be OK for 13-and-up. STEP UP 3D Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language What it's about: New York kids compete, in 3D, in epic break-dance battles in this almost-romance. The kid attractor factor: "Step Up" is a proven brand for teen screen dance musicals. Good lessons/bad lessons: "Just be true to who you are." Violence:...
Los Angeles Times (MCT) Signs of heart disease — generally thought to be a disease of middle age — can be seen even in children, cardiologists now know. But risk factors in children and young adults run the risk of being undetected and untreated, largely because of confusion as to who among the young should get screened, and when. One of the most efficient ways to screen for heart-disease risk is via tests for levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol. And yet often that screen doesn't get done. In a study published in the July-August issue of the Annals of Family Medicine, Dr. Elena Kuklina and colleagues from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention examined data from the 1999-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a national survey that includes interviews and physical examinations, to see how frequently young adults were getting screened for LDL cholesterol. Of the 2,587 young adults in the study — men 20 to 35 years old and women 20 to 45 —...
McClatchy-Tribune News Service (MCT) Dear Mr. Dad: My wife is breastfeeding but we'd like for me to be able to feed our 2-month-old daughter as well. Can I give her a bottle without interfering with breastfeeding? If so, how is this done? A: Getting a chance to feed your daughter is wonderful on several counts. First, it's a great way for you to get some one-on-one bonding time with your baby. Second, it gives your wife a well-deserved break. With two months of sucking under her belt, your daughter is a breastfeeding pro, so you can safely introduce a bottle at pretty much any time. The biggest obstacle you could potentially run into is "nipple confusion," which, in this case, is when the baby has gotten so used to the breast that she refuses to take a bottle. (There's another kind of nipple confusion, where the baby has gotten used to a bottle and refuses the breast). Fortunately, with the right preparation and approach, your baby will quickly become proficient in both methods. That said,...
Chicago Tribune (MCT) What's the best way to phrase a directive to your child without making it sound negotiable? (We all know "OK?" is deadly.) Parent advice: It irks me to hear parents say "OK?" or "Okaaaaaaay?" after talking with a child — as if we needed their permission! I know that most of us are just trying to make sure our kids got the message, so I usually follow up with direct eye contact and, "Do you understand?" From the time my kids could talk, I would tell them to say, "Yes, Mom, I understand." —Jennifer Polizzi If I get no acknowledgment, I say, "Got it?" My children know to respond. —Naheed Attari I make my sons look me right in the eye and repeat back what I said. For example, I say, "Do not run at the pool." Then I make them acknowledge that they understand the punishment that will ensue for disobedience. For example: "And if I run at the pool, I understand that I will have to sit out for a while, and if I do it again, I understand that we will go home." —Sharon Brinkman With... 
By Deborah Netburn Los Angeles Times (MCT) There are many lists of freshman dorm necessities floating around on the Internet, but one list making the rounds among parents on L.A.'s Westside is especially thorough. It's an Excel spreadsheet that usually lands in in-boxes with a disclaimer from the sender saying something like, "I know it's a little much, but it's nice to have it all spelled out." This particular list is broken down into categories such as "bedding," "bedroom stuff," "common room," "hardware store" and "toiletries," and it has more than 100 items, including Dixie cups, Blistex, mini cutting board, stamps, ruler, Wite-Out, thank you notes and small vacuum. Some people see helicopter mom in this list; others might see a just plain neurotic person. After all, an 18-year-old who has managed to get into college is surely capable of buying his or her own Blistex. But there is something else in the time, care and energy spent by the unknown parent who put it all together: the desire — however...
By Wendy Donahue Chicago Tribune (MCT) Criticism is tough to take — and getting tougher all the time for some teens and 20-somethings. "I've noticed increasingly as we get students in the millennium generation that they do have a hard time not getting the grade they want and reading critical comments. They want A's," said Frances Stott, a professor at the Erikson Institute, a nationally renowned graduate school in child development. She attributes the trend to two polar ways in which children are being raised. "Parents have become increasingly child-centered with values that include self-expression. So these kids come to school in a new setting, where they may not be so used to criticism, and are used to feeling very special," she said. Second, "there are some children — fewer — who have been feeling devalued or rejected in their family," she said. "They also have trouble accepting criticism." Learning to accept criticism and evaluate one's behavior empowers a child for life. "Kids, by 5 or 6 years old, are ready...
Contra Costa Times (MCT) Q: Is it disrespectful to the new wife to invite the ex-wife and her parents to family functions? When we have family functions the kids don't get to come when it's the ex-wife's visitation time. It's not fair to the kids who don't get to see their cousins, aunts and uncles. A: You won't hear us say it is disrespectful now; we celebrate all family functions together. But in the beginning things were kept quite separate and Jann would have been very put off if Sharyl was invited to family functions. It was about two or three years into the experiment that we all (Sharyl, Jann, and Jann's husband, who is Sharyl's ex-husband), made a concerted effort to co-parent the children and we began to celebrate together — at the prompting of the kids. Extended family was also invited. Those that lived nearby did attend. And, because Jann was in on the decision to celebrate in that manner, she did not see it as disrespectful. It's not uncommon for kids...
By Armin Brott McClatchy-Tribune News Service Dear Mr. Dad: My husband and I are planning to get pregnant in about a year. We hear a lot about what to do, health wise, during the pregnancy itself. But what about before? Are there things I should be doing to get my body ready? And are there things my husband should be doing? A: Yes on all counts. An unborn baby's organs start developing 17 to 56 days after conception. But that's so early that you might not even know you're pregnant yet. And by the time you find out, you may have already done all sorts of things that could affect the baby — things you may end up regretting. So it's good that you and your husband are preparing yourselves so far in advance. I'll talk about what you should be doing now, and we'll tackle your husband next week. Make an appointment with your doctor for a preconception physical. Expect him to evaluate any medications you're taking to see whether they're safe during pregnancy. He'll probably prescribe prenatal vitamins with folic...
By Wendy Donahue Chicago Tribune (MCT) Parent advice: This is such a serious topic, and I think teachers and educational leaders need to address this kind of behavior as the start of bullying. I think that most of the time, the ones doing the rejection are actually jealous of the other for their looks or intelligence, and this envy triggers the behavior. Usually the victim is sensitive and reacts, and therefore gives pleasure to the other child. What to do: role-play. Play out pretend situations and different options: ignoring the rejecter, looking around and sitting by someone else. Also, discuss why your child wants this friend in the first place. There must be others who could be selected. Different developmental stages require different strategies. If your child acts victimized, cries or has similar responses, you can bet that the behavior will continue, with the bully pulling in others. Contact the parents or schoolteacher if it continues or intensifies. But never ignore it. —Verna Schmidt If you have...
The Hartford Courant (MCT) Millions of children go off summer camps across the country during July and August, but it's not always fun in the sun. To keep your campers healthy and happy, follow these 10 suggestions from the American Camp Association, Dr. James Parker of Connecticut Children's Medical Center and Dr. Marie Vitale of Hartford Hospital: 1. Sun and Heat Protection: Protecting campers from sun damage is a priority. Children should apply adequate sunscreen to avoid sunburn and stay well hydrated to prevent heat exhaustion. The American Camp Association recommends sending your child to camp with sunscreen of at least SPF 30 and a reusable water-bottle. 2. Clothing: Dress children in multiple layers that they can shed as needed. Brimmed hats and close-toed shoes are also good ideas. 3. Insects: Educate yourself and your children on common local critters, and make sure the camp can treat simple insect bites, stings and adverse reactions. For day campers, check nightly for ticks hiding...
By Cailley Hammel Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, (MCT) Emily Clearwater, 7, says she isn't afraid of anything. Her mother, Jennifer Clearwater of Port Washington, Wis., would disagree. "I know something you're scared of that you're not admitting to. Insects," Jennifer said. "You're scared of bugs!" Emily sheepishly giggled in response and hid under her bright blond hair. As it turns out, Emily also is afraid of getting shots, the dark (but only "kind of") and getting lost (which is often the subject of her bad dreams). She isn't alone. All children have fears — it's a natural part of life. Overcoming them is a rite of passage and a sign that we're growing up. For advice on coping with common childhood fears, we spoke with pediatric psychologist Andrea Begotka and clinical psychologist Kathleen Longeway of Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. SEPARATION ANXIETY Why it's common: Begotka said this boils down to the attachment a child has to his or her parents. Longeway added that this fear can manifest itself in...
Chicago Tribune (MCT) How much structure does a half-day preschooler need in the summer in order to be ready for full-day kindergarten in the fall? Parent advice: Full-day kindergarten may depend on whether they need a nap or not. One of my daughters learned how to read by age 4. My neighbor asked me before kindergarten enrollment if I was going to have her placed in first grade — her older son, who was in second grade at the time, was embarrassed that she read better than he did. But she still needed a nap every afternoon and didn't get up until 8 a.m. By preschool age I enrolled my children in preschool programs according to their needs — meeting new friends, learning a skill, such as swimming, or a chance to be without their other siblings. One daughter could amuse herself, another wanted to be occupied, another wanted to be in charge. How (much structure is required for kindergarten) depends on the child. —Barb Matarrese The most important thing is building up her stamina for a full day. She will... 
(MCT) When my son was 4, I tried giving him nutritional supplements to make up for his appalling diet. I mixed fish oil into his orange juice. I let him eat candylike gummy multivitamins. And I stirred a chocolate powder containing 31 fruit and vegetable extracts into his milk. It eased my worries, but experts disagree on whether supplements do any good. "An appropriate diet should cover all needs," said Dr. Steven Daniels, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics' committee on nutrition. Parents of picky eaters may be concerned, he said, but the worry "is often misplaced because kids are growing and developing normally." But how many kids eat an "appropriate" diet? Dr. Kathi Kemper, who chairs the holistic and integrative medicine department at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, often recommends a multivitamin or fish oil which contains omega-3 fatty acids because "people have a funny idea what a healthy diet actually is," she said. Surveys show that 99 percent of... 
Have you ever found an old bottle of sunscreen in a drawer and figured, 'it should still be good, right?' Then a few hours later you take your sunglasses off and look in the mirror, and yikes! You got burned, literally! The molecular structure of sunscreen does break down over time, just as with other medications and creams. So how do you know when it is time to buy a new bottle? If you're lucky, the bottle will have an expiration date already printed on it somewhere. If not, here are a few general rules of thumb: * ohiohealth.com recommends you throw away the bottle after three years. When you purchase the bottle, write the date on it with permanent marker. Although there is no way for you to know how old it is on the shelf already, this will give you a general idea of how old it is. * If when you open the bottle, the lotion is discolored or has an odd smell, toss it, this may be a sign that is has started to break down. Remember, if youuse sunscreen often, you should not have a bottle for that long anyway....
Chicago Tribune (MCT) How do you get kids off the couch and away from computers, video games and TV? Parents' advice: I plan something for every day in the summer: a museum, the lake, a public pool, a walk through an interesting neighborhood, the skateboard park, a simple visit to the local park. As long as my kids play outside two to three hours a day and read for a bit and do a chore or two, I don't really care if they spend the rest of the day playing video games or watching TV. —Sharon Brinkman One of the hardest things for parents to understand is that kids need and actually want some structure. Sit the child down and say that you are setting up the summer rules and you want input. Tell him/her that the video games can be played for "x" amount of time each day and what time frame does he/she want to help set? Discuss options for what might be done at the other times, reminding that summer is a special time to do other free things that they can't do during the school year. —Verna Schmidt Use the barter... 
Chicago Tribune (MCT) Kelly Donlea bumped into a wee little problem not long after she had a baby and discovered the "meltdown hour." Soon as that babe was too big for Pablum in jars, Donlea realized that come 4 in the afternoon, she needed to figure out how to get dinner on the table. She did what any smart mama might do: She pummeled with questions anyone she ever bumped into. "OK, you've had to feed your children," she would begin. "How do you do it?" The answers were, um, hardly encouraging. "No one had a good answer," says Donlea, who grew up with a mom who put fresh-from-the-garden food on the table, night after night. "The whole meal-in-a-box. No, that's not gonna work for me. Nothing added up." So Donlea, once a financial writer and now the mother of three in Barrington, Ill., went on to solve the dinnertime problem. In fact, she wrote a book about it, "70 Meals, One Trip to the Store," self-publishing the skinny spiral-bound volume ($16, on her Web site, organizingdinner.com).... |
